SE OPENER: THRILLS AND CHILLS; INDIANS ANSWER IOWA ST. IN BOTTOM OF NINTH, WIN 5-4

Southeast Missouri State's baseball team has players who came from California, North Dakota, Texas, Minnesota, Chaffee and even Australia.

But on Saturday, the Indians all came from one place: behind.

Trailing 4-1 going into the bottom of the ninth in what was supposed to be a seven-inning game, the Indians scored four runs to claim a thrilling 5-4 win over Iowa State in their season opener in very cold conditions at Capaha Field.

Shane Allen finished off the Cyclones when he fisted a line-drive single into left field off Jason McNertney, the losing pitcher. That hit scored Zach Borowiak, who had earlier hit a two-run, bases-loaded double.

"The infield was in and we practice that situation a lot," said Allen. "I was looking for something to hit in the outfield. He threw me a slider and I got just enough of it to get it in the outfield. It's funny how that works because in my second at-bat, I hit a missile to right field that was caught."

Allen's hit culminated an unlikely turn of events for Southeast.

Iowa State had taken momentum in the top of the ninth when it broke a 1-1 on a three-run, two-out double by catcher Ryan Wickham off reliever Brandon Smith.

The Indians had scored one run in the first inning, but hadn't done much since. It seemed too tall a task to match Iowa State's three-run ninth.

But with some timely hitting and some help from the Cyclone defense, the Indians pulled out the win.

Denver Stuckey started off the inning by reaching on an error when Cyclone first baseman Joe Urban lost a throw from third base in the setting sun.

Clemente Bonilla followed with an opposite-field double down the third-base line. Pinch hitter Brad Simmons drew a walk to load the bases then Zach Borowiak hit an opposite-field double down the first-base line to bring home two runs and close Southeast's gap to 4-3.

After a walk to Tristen McDonald, Vern Hatton singled off the pitcher's glove to score Simmons and tie the game. Allen's single followed.

Iowa State coach Lyle Smith, who saw his team drop to 0-4, was obviously frustrated.

"It's a hard loss to stomach," he said, disgusted that his first and third basemen both let ground-ball doubles get down the lines and that his pitcher failed to make a play on Hatton's chopper. "Here it is the ninth inning and you've got a three run lead and, cripes, you don't even get an out; don't even get a stinkin' out."

Southeast, meanwhile, didn't play a perfect game either.

The Indians committed three errors and had a passed ball.

"It was a good comeback," Allen said. "But we really didn't play well at the beginning. We could've won the game earlier, but we definitely made it exciting."

The game was sloppy at times, but there was some sparkling play as well. Southeast second baseman Clemente Bonilla backhanded a grounder, and while sprawled on his knees, flipped to Borowiak at second to start a beautiful second-inning double play.

And on the mound, Tommy Thomas was brilliant.

He went 5 2/3 innings and gave up one unearned run on just three hits and three walks. He struck out eight.

But Thomas didn't get the win he deserved because of a blunder he made in the sixth. With two outs, Thomas let a hard bunt roll through his legs. Another error and a walk followed and Thomas was done for the day.

Jeff Hilz entered the game with the bases loaded and hit a batter to force in a run.

"On Tommy's error, if he fields that ball, he probably finishes the game," Hogan said. "He'll probably lose sleep on that tonight because he didn't get a decision when he deserved one. But you got to make that play and he knows it."

Southeast scored in the first when Bonilla doubled to lead off the game and McDonald chased him home on a double down the right-field line.

McDonald, who is from Australia, had the best day offensively for Southeast. He went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. He also made a sliding catch in right field.

"I feel good," said McDonald with his Aussie accent. "I missed last year (at Iowa Central Community College) and it's good to be back on the field. I didn't hit the ball as hard as I'd like to, but if they drop I'll take them."

Despite giving up the bases-loaded double, Smith, who pitched 2 1/3 innings, recorded the win for Southeast.

Charly Bigwood pitched a solid game, but like Thomas, had nothing to show for it. He went five innings and allowed one earned run on five hits and two walks whiles striking out five.